Retrospective analysis of seven breast tuberculosis cases

The present study aimed to evaluate the demographic data, diagnostic methods, therapeutic regimens and duration of therapy in 7 breast tuberculosis (BTB) cases. The data of BTB cases treated between January 2006 and December 2013 were retrospectively evaluated, with a total of 648 tuberculosis (TB) cases recorded during the 8-year period. Among these cases, 296 patients (50%) suffered from pulmonary TB, 278 (43%) from non-pulmonary TB and 45 (7%) from PTB plus NPTB. In total, 7 BTB were diagnosed, which constituted 1.08% (7/648) of all TB cases and 2.51% (7/278) of all NPTB cases. The mean age of patients was 34±9.46 years, with no pregnant or lactating women. Bilateral breast involvement was detected in only 1 case, while all cases had a BCG scar, and obtained a mean tuberculin skin test (TST) result of 14.28±6.79 mm (range, 7-26 mm). The symptoms included presence of a mass, tenderness, pain, swelling and fluctuation in the breast, with or without discharging sinuses. In 1 case, history of contact with TB was found. All patients were newly-diagnosed BTB cases, with no other organ involvement. Upon histopathological examination of breast tissue, granulomatous inflammation with typical caseous necrosis was observed in 1 case, non-caseous necrosis inflammation was detected in 2 cases, granulomatous inflammation was observed in 3 cases, and mastitis and fat necrosis inflammation was observed in 1 case. Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining was positive in only 2 cases, and all patient were treated with anti-TB drugs with a successful outcome and no recurrence. In conclusion, BTB is a rare form of TB and the present retrospective study reported 7 cases of BTB along with the results of histopathological examination, microbiological examination and treatment. TB must be considered when there is presence of breast masses presenting with tenderness, pain, swelling and fluctuation, with or without discharging sinuses.